Artisan Haircutters named and shamed for underpaying workers

It is unclear where the 42 underpaid workers are based or the cost of the fine received by the company.

The union's claims came after BEIS revealed 14 food and drink firms failed to pay staff their full wages.

The recent report indicates a rise of 82.7% in the total number of companies failing to pay its workers from the 197 cases back in August a year ago.

"Thanks to government investigations more than 15 and a half thousand of the UK's lowest paid workers are to be back paid as we continue to build a Northern Ireland, and wider United Kingdom, that works for everyone".

Kieran lodged a complaint after the Buddies refused to release him from his contract when he quit full-time football to study at university.

Peninsula Employment Law, Director Alan Price said: "Employers need to ensure they are keeping up to date with changes to the rates of minimum wage".

There have been 11 rounds of naming and shaming since 2013, with £4.5million of arrears identified.

Excuses for underpaying workers included believing that tips could form part of pay, docking workers' wages to pay for their Christmas party and making staff pay for their own uniforms out of their salary.

Unite assistant general secretary Steve Turner said: "The government needs to crack down further on employers who failed to pay the National Minimum Wage to some of the most low-paid and vulnerable workers in the country". More than £2 million in fines have been issued to national minimum and living wage offenders.

Other Scots bosses embarrassed included John Preston of Sculpture hairdressing in Glasgow who owed £1,537 to a single worker.

CCR&L Inns Ltd, trading as The Millstone Inn, Stamford PE9, which failed to pay £531.88 to one worker.